MGH research and innovation takes centre stage at annual fair

While conducting research and quality improvement studies might seem intimidating at first, Cathy Scott is encouraging her fellow healthcare providers and colleagues to take the plunge.

“If you see a need and have an idea, follow your passion,” says Cathy, renal nurse clinician in the Kidney Care Clinic at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), who has seen firsthand how a simple idea can lead to a big difference for patients.

Today, June 13, MGH hosts its eighth annual EPIC Research and Innovation Fair to celebrate community-based research and quality improvement. This year's Fair will feature 20 projects spearheaded by employees, physicians and healthcare providers across the hospital. The Fair begins at 11 a.m. and is open to everyone.

Last year, Cathy and her team were honoured with the “Be Excellent” award for “Happy Feet,” a nursing-led program providing foot assessments and education to hemodialysis patients. It was the passion of one nurse, Gladys Palacol, who in early 2015 recognized the need for more regular foot assessments for hemodialysis patients. People with kidney disease are at a higher than average risk for foot ulcers, which can result in infections and in more severe cases, lead to the loss of a limb.

Together, Cathy, Gladys and Joanne Breckles, MGH pharmacist, championed the cause and developed a simple and visual foot assessment tool to do baseline foot assessments for all patients. Soon, monthly statistics showed the reduction of patient morbidities. They received support and buy-in from team members on the unit, including nurses and physicians to continue to monitor and sustain positive outcomes for patients.

The program has seen substantial results, including fewer incidents of wounds and ulcers and no amputations between 2015 and mid-2017. Since presenting “Happy Feet” at the MGH Research and Innovation Fair last year, Cathy, Gladys and Joanne have presented their research at St. Michael's Hospital and have traveled to Montreal to speak at a Canadian Society of Nephrology conference.

Patient-inspired innovation and community health

Earlier this year, MGH launched its Research and Innovation Plan focused on improving the health of the East Toronto community through patient-inspired innovation. The hospital is well known for its ability to find practical solutions to complex system issues and develop unique collaborative partnerships. Since 1988, MGH has conducted 737 research projects, with 119 active studies in 2017.

A new dyad leadership model led by Dr. Jeff Powis, recently appointed to the role of Medical Director Operational Excellence and Innovation and Mari Iromoto, Director, Operational Excellence & Innovation will see the research portfolio at MGH grow and expand to support quality improvement, community health and foster a strong culture of research and innovation across the hospital.

“We want to build a solid foundation and infrastructure so that people will feel confident and supported in taking on research projects,” says Dr. Powis. “We want to empower anyone – whether you have a patient-facing position or not – to bring forward ideas for evaluation.”

Jeff hopes the five-year plan will see the evolution of a mentorship model to retain and recruit more healthcare providers and clinicians to join the growing research community. He's confident the paired leadership model he shares with Mari will help the two achieve their vision of making a practical difference to the health of the East Toronto community.

The EPIC Research and Innovation Fair is the perfect launching point.

“When I see the pride of our staff as they present their research projects and speak passionately about their work, it's the best motivation,” says Mari. “It's important to provide people with a platform to celebrate and share their successes.”

Wolf Klassen, Vice President of Program Support, adds that patient-inspired innovation and co-design is at the very centre of these projects.

“We have a strong culture of quality improvement focused on our patients,” says Wolf. “That is what inspires the work that we do and Jeff and Mari will support our teams in driving that culture forward.”

“If we only find solutions and fix the problem at MGH, then it stops here,” says Jeff, who is passionate about improving system design. “But if we can translate this knowledge and share it with others in a meaningful way, then we can improve and advance care for more than just our patients at MGH.”

The Research and Innovation Fair awards ceremony will take place on June 20. Three projects will receive awards in the categories of “Be Excellent”, “Lead Wisely” and “Build Community,” which align with MGH's strategic directions. Back by popular demand, a “People's Choice” award will also be given.